The classic naked baby shot Craig and I wanted. I shot this with my phone, as Craig shot with his normal camera. We were hoping Quinn didn't pee on the bed.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

The classic naked baby shot Craig and I wanted. I shot this with my...

The classic naked baby shot Craig and I wanted. I shot this with my... Photo-3862989.53611 - SFGate

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Photo-3280283.53611 - SFGate

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framework09_cotten_correct Photo-3905852.53611 - SFGate

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framework09_cotten_correct Photo-3905853.53611 - SFGate

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framework09_cotten_correct Photo-3905854.53611 - SFGate

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(In Jamie Cotten's words) This is "Life as a New Mom through a Hipstamatic Lens." The work mirrors the beauties and struggles of being a new mom, and the advantages and disadvantages of using a camera phone to document those beauties and struggles. Quinn, pictured here on his changing table where we read to him on our knees, was born Feb. 2 this year. "Dedicated to our families, and to each other," this book reads on its introduction page. Over the course of the first year of Quinn's life, it's become clear to me that's how families make it - dedication.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

(In Jamie Cotten's words) This is "Life as a New Mom through a...

(In Jamie Cotten's words) This is "Life as a New Mom... Photo-3863034.53611 - SFGate

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Before I had my own family, I don't know if I'd pick out scenes like this as easily. It appears to be a family parting ways for the day early one San Francisco morning.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Before I had my own family, I don't know if I'd pick out scenes...

Before I had my own family, I don't know if I'd pick out... Photo-3863036.53611 - SFGate

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This is after his six-month shots.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

This is after his six-month shots.

This is after his six-month shots. Photo-3863039.53611 - SFGate

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And as I'm sure some of you have heard or may know, with childbirth comes hair loss.. a lot of hair loss. At first I hardly lost any, but when Quinn turned six months old, it started coming out in gobs. At one point, my hair even started to turn brown, and with red hair being such a part of me my entire life, I wondered what else might change from having a baby.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

And as I'm sure some of you have heard or may know, with childbirth...

And as I'm sure some of you have heard or may know, with... Photo-3863031.53611 - SFGate

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I finally had the chance to clean the bathrooms one day, and when I glanced at myself in the mirror, I was shocked at my appearance. I had to shoot it and, as with many of these images, wouldn't have done it with my normal camera.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

I finally had the chance to clean the bathrooms one day, and when I...

I finally had the chance to clean the bathrooms one day, and when I... Photo-3863028.53611 - SFGate

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When Craig returned to work, so did I. Only it wasn't shooting photo assignments nine-to-five, as I'd done previously. Instead, I cleaned, cooked, did laundry and took care of Quinn, and I was more exhausted than I'd ever been in my life. This is our sink with two empty wine glasses, a spatula, a knife - all regulars in our house - and a non-traditional item in our sink - a baby nose-cleansing sucker thing. I still don't know its proper name.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

When Craig returned to work, so did I. Only it wasn't shooting...

When Craig returned to work, so did I. Only it wasn't shooting... Photo-3863024.53611 - SFGate

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I had this overwhelming sense of needing to protect Quinn, and this was a precautionary note I left on the window of his nursery for Craig.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

I had this overwhelming sense of needing to protect Quinn, and this...

I had this overwhelming sense of needing to protect Quinn, and this... Photo-3863022.53611 - SFGate

And back home, I shot another photo of me and Quinn to send to Craig when he was out of town. The light was minimal, and I of course couldn't change my camera settings. But I loved the moment.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

And back home, I shot another photo of me and Quinn to send to...

And back home, I shot another photo of me and Quinn to send to... Photo-3862995.53611 - SFGate

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Quinn picked up friends everywhere we went. This is on the 1 Train in NYC, headed downtown to see the 9/11 Memorial.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Quinn picked up friends everywhere we went. This is on the 1 Train...

Quinn picked up friends everywhere we went. This is on the 1 Train... Photo-3862994.53611 - SFGate

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Immediately after walking inside the memorial, I felt an overwhelming sense of loss. Thousands of engraved victims' names covered the charcoal-colored stone of the North and South Pools. One name in particular hit me like a freight train - a woman's name "and her unborn child" it reads. I wept.

Craig rests his hands on his chest before bed. He does this a lot, and to me it's a symbol of his strong values - loyalty, dedication and family.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Craig rests his hands on his chest before bed. He does this a lot,...

Craig rests his hands on his chest before bed. He does this a lot,... Photo-3862981.53611 - SFGate

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Quinn wakes up near Craig's camera on the ground at a friend's house during a barbecue.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Quinn wakes up near Craig's camera on the ground at a friend's...

Quinn wakes up near Craig's camera on the ground at a... Photo-3862992.53611 - SFGate

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Craig's mom, left, his dad, right, ascend a large group of stairs, as Craig and his editor, Tim Rasmussen, carry Quinn in his stroller to the library at Columbia University in New York, where Craig received his second Pulitzer Prize for feature photography.

This is a car wash, where I was reminding myself that, although I'm a mom, I'm still also a photographer. I'd often use Hisptamatic as an outlet for the loneliness and probably a bit of postpartum depression I often felt. These next frames are reflections of that.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

This is a car wash, where I was reminding myself that, although I'm...

This is a car wash, where I was reminding myself that, although... Photo-3862977.53611 - SFGate

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Quinn discovers his feet. No matter how much support I had as a new mom, I often felt lonely.. just me and my baby. This moment was one I wished Craig could have seen in person. I sent this to him when he was out of town for work.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Quinn discovers his feet. No matter how much support I had as a new...

Quinn discovers his feet. No matter how much support I had as a new... Photo-3862978.53611 - SFGate

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I often thought of Juma back home, and wondered if he felt lonely and neglected.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

I often thought of Juma back home, and wondered if he felt lonely...

I often thought of Juma back home, and wondered if he felt lonely... Photo-3862974.53611 - SFGate

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This is after a night of successful laundry hanging and folding.. and decompressing.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

This is after a night of successful laundry hanging and folding.....

This is after a night of successful laundry hanging and folding..... Photo-3863023.53611 - SFGate

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Quinn liked a lot of solid foods, but he loved carrots most of all.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Quinn liked a lot of solid foods, but he loved carrots most of all.

Quinn liked a lot of solid foods, but he loved carrots most of all. Photo-3862975.53611 - SFGate

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Quinn soon outgrew his bassinet, and though Craig and I were happy to have our room back to ourselves again, it felt empty when the little guy moved to his crib. Though it was a sense of accomplishment, as well.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Quinn soon outgrew his bassinet, and though Craig and I were happy...

Quinn soon outgrew his bassinet, and though Craig and I were happy... Photo-3862972.53611 - SFGate

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This isn't a very common scene, actually. But it was a fun one to shoot with the square Hipstamatic frame.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

This isn't a very common scene, actually. But it was a fun one to...

This isn't a very common scene, actually. But it was a fun one... Photo-3862976.53611 - SFGate

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Though my mom and my stepdad, Howard, did not have to evacuate, they were on the pre-evacuation map. They packed boxes of their most treasured items - old family photos and some valuables. In a house that was usually full of the smell of good cooking and life, there was a sense of emptiness and fear.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Though my mom and my stepdad, Howard, did not have to evacuate,...

Though my mom and my stepdad, Howard, did not have to evacuate,... Photo-3862970.53611 - SFGate

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And for all the moms out there, this is a common morning scene. It's amazing how much your little ones rely on you, and it feels good to know you're doing the best job you can.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

And for all the moms out there, this is a common morning scene....

And for all the moms out there, this is a common morning scene.... Photo-3862973.53611 - SFGate

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Craig, Quinn and I took a walk up to the Garden of the Gods where Craig walked Quinn a usually busy road to get a better look of the still burning and smoking fire.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Craig, Quinn and I took a walk up to the Garden of the Gods where...

Craig, Quinn and I took a walk up to the Garden of the Gods where... Photo-3862971.53611 - SFGate

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And when we woke from sleeping at my mom's house that night, I remember peering over into Quinn's pack 'n play and thinking, "God, I'm lucky." With my family and friends safe, I can't imagine what else I'd put into a box.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

And when we woke from sleeping at my mom's house that night, I...

And when we woke from sleeping at my mom's house that night, I... Photo-3862969.53611 - SFGate

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Quinn and I spend a lot of time grocery shopping, and though it's a process, I love how he makes me smile as I walk the food aisles. I remember the first time I went to the store without him, it took me like a half an hour less to do all my shopping, and I felt 50 pounds lighter. But of course I missed his cooing and keeping me company.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Quinn and I spend a lot of time grocery shopping, and though it's a...

Quinn and I spend a lot of time grocery shopping, and though... Photo-3862967.53611 - SFGate

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When a friend asked where I wanted to go to happy hour, I said, "wherever people won't judge me for drinking with a baby." We ended up at a restaurant, where Quinn was fascinated by the reflection of my wine-filled glass on the table.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

When a friend asked where I wanted to go to happy hour, I said,...

When a friend asked where I wanted to go to happy hour, I said,... Photo-3862968.53611 - SFGate

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Quinn plays in what we call his "baby spacecraft." He was a little small for it here, but he could touch the bottom.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Quinn plays in what we call his "baby spacecraft." He was a little...

Quinn plays in what we call his "baby spacecraft." He was... Photo-3862964.53611 - SFGate

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Juma hides under some paper on the kitchen floor.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Juma hides under some paper on the kitchen floor.

Juma hides under some paper on the kitchen floor. Photo-3862965.53611 - SFGate

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This is a brush for Quinn's bottle on our sink with a note behind it made of gum and mints Craig picked up for me on his travels, "Jamie I love you Craig," it reads. On the top right of the frame are three pine cones I picked up on one of my walks with Quinn that represent our family. The taller, grey one on the right is Craig. I'm the reddish-colored one, leaning on Craig. And Quinn is the little one in the middle.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

This is a brush for Quinn's bottle on our sink with a note behind...

This is a brush for Quinn's bottle on our sink with a note... Photo-3862962.53611 - SFGate

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It was amazing how people would come out of the woodwork to take some of the load off. My cousin Dave, left, and Craig pass Quinn back and forth at Red Robin while I took a break.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

It was amazing how people would come out of the woodwork to take...

It was amazing how people would come out of the woodwork to take... Photo-3862959.53611 - SFGate

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Our family walks were also really important, especially during the first six months of Quinn's life, and this is a photo of Craig taking a photo of Quinn on one of those walks. Craig often posted photos on Facebook, which I could not do as much I'd like with this project.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Our family walks were also really important, especially during the...

Our family walks were also really important, especially during the... Photo-3862960.53611 - SFGate

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Another one of those touching moments I walked into.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Another one of those touching moments I walked into.

Another one of those touching moments I walked into. Photo-3862961.53611 - SFGate

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A lone spider on our back screen door.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

A lone spider on our back screen door.

A lone spider on our back screen door. Photo-3862957.53611 - SFGate

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A woman looks out over a lake, where I often walked with Quinn.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

A woman looks out over a lake, where I often walked with Quinn.

A woman looks out over a lake, where I often walked with Quinn. Photo-3862958.53611 - SFGate

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Quinn would play on his play gym, and would often fall asleep. This is another fun square frame to shoot.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Quinn would play on his play gym, and would often fall asleep. This...

Quinn would play on his play gym, and would often fall asleep. This... Photo-3862953.53611 - SFGate

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This is at a bluegrass concert where, though I was with family, sat in the back of the outdoor garden in case Quinn started crying. I felt a little like an outcast, when a snake appeared in the crack of the back garden wall as if to say, "I know how you feel, man." I got dangerously close to it - close enough for it to strike me. But it didn't, and I got the shot.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

This is at a bluegrass concert where, though I was with family, sat...

This is at a bluegrass concert where, though I was with family, sat... Photo-3862954.53611 - SFGate

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This is from another walk near our house with Quinn - remnant of another passerby.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

This is from another walk near our house with Quinn - remnant of...

This is from another walk near our house with Quinn - remnant of... Photo-3862955.53611 - SFGate

And then in June, the Waldo Canyon fire broke out in Colorado Springs, burning over 18,000 acres and more than 340 homes. Though it was not the largest fire in Colorado's history, it is called the most devastating because of the homes it destroyed. Craig was sent to shoot the devastation and document the families the fire affected. Quinn and I joined, and figured we'd stay at my mom's house near Manitou Springs.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

And then in June, the Waldo Canyon fire broke out in Colorado...

And then in June, the Waldo Canyon fire broke out in Colorado... Photo-3863035.53611 - SFGate

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It seemed that I could never produce enough milk. Pictured on the right is a bottle with under two ounces of the liquid gold - over three ounces short of what Quinn needed in one feeding.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

It seemed that I could never produce enough milk. Pictured on the...

It seemed that I could never produce enough milk. Pictured on the... Photo-3863032.53611 - SFGate

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Quinn in his infant tub, which he's about to outgrow. He seems to really enjoy bath time, especially when he has his rubber ducky.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Quinn in his infant tub, which he's about to outgrow. He seems to...

Quinn in his infant tub, which he's about to outgrow. He seems... Photo-3863030.53611 - SFGate

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Juma. Juma would do almost anything to get my attention. Wherever I was, he'd appear suddenly. He'd jump in the bathtub as I washed my face in the sink. Or he'd be at my feet when I got coffee ready for the following morning.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Juma. Juma would do almost anything to get my attention. Wherever I...

Juma. Juma would do almost anything to get my attention. Wherever I... Photo-3863029.53611 - SFGate

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I took classical piano lessons for nine years, and have neglected practicing since Quinn was born. I'm playing with him here, as he pounds on the keys.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

I took classical piano lessons for nine years, and have neglected...

I took classical piano lessons for nine years, and have neglected... Photo-3863027.53611 - SFGate

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Supply and demand. That's what breastfeeding a baby is all about, and I was adamant and committed to breast feeding Quinn. Though I'm thrilled about his health and the stamina I've had with breastfeeding, I often felt discouraged. As soon as I had two or three milks in the freezer, they'd be gone. I could never keep a stash. This photo of an employee stocking, left, and a customer consuming at a New York City market reminded me of my situation.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Supply and demand. That's what breastfeeding a baby is all about,...

Supply and demand. That's what breastfeeding a baby is all... Photo-3863021.53611 - SFGate

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And this is a self portrait with Quinn, six weeks old here. I shot maybe eight frames of this, and the shadow of my phone was in most of them. When I finally got it, I realized I wouldn't have been able to shoot this with my D3. It's just too big, and between hiding the camera in the shadows and holding Quinn's head up, I couldn't have done it.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

And this is a self portrait with Quinn, six weeks old here. I shot...

And this is a self portrait with Quinn, six weeks old here. I shot... Photo-3863026.53611 - SFGate

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Back home in Colorado, it was a bit cold. This is our back door the night we returned from subtropical weather in Hong Kong.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Back home in Colorado, it was a bit cold. This is our back door the...

Back home in Colorado, it was a bit cold. This is our back door the... Photo-3863001.53611 - SFGate

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I lived on the East Side in New York City during my first year of college, and it was a wonderful experience, but a struggle. As many people who've lived in NYC know, it's a hard city, especially when you're young. This is at the hotel where we stayed during our first trip to NYC with Quinn.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

I lived on the East Side in New York City during my first year of...

I lived on the East Side in New York City during my first year of... Photo-3862966.53611 - SFGate

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Quinn and I shop at a used baby-clothing store here, as he grabs a shirt I pulled off the rack. I was flattered. He makes me laugh constantly, and it's moments like these that make motherhood that much more worth it.

Photo: Jamie Cotten

Quinn and I shop at a used baby-clothing store here, as he grabs a...

Quinn and I shop at a used baby-clothing store here, as he grabs a... Photo-3862963.53611 - SFGate